Published: on 05 July 2012
SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) must assume a critical role in nation building as they are at the heart of the country's economic growth.
SME Corp chairman Datuk Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid said in order to play that role, it was critical for the SMEs to enhance their creative and innovative qualities.
"SMEs must now assume a critical role in nation building and in contributing to the nation's economic advancement, which is driven by creativity and innovation."
He said competitive and resilient SMEs were a vital ingredient in achieving sustainable economic growth.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Malaysia SME Congress 2012 organised by the Malaysia SME here, yesterday.
Mohamed Al Amin said the government was implementing various programmes to create a more globally recognised brand for products and services of local SMEs.
"SME Corp, in collaboration with SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd, has developed a certification scheme that enhances the Malaysian Brand name in international markets.
"Therefore, we welcome more local entrepreneurs with good business models to send in their applications to be a Malaysian Brand, which will also drive the growth of their business," he said.
Malaysia SME chief executive officer Wayne Lim said the Malaysia SME Congress this year focused more on the food and beverage sector and giving priority to those business brands that had made their names internationally.
Meanwhile, 1,000 SME entrepreneurs, ministry and government agency officials, presidents of various business chambers of commerce and associations as well as other stakeholders celebrated the first SME Day, held in conjunction with the congress.
Lim said he hoped it would be celebrated regionally and globally each year.
"We hope that SME Day will soon be observed and celebrated by hundreds of millions of SMEs worldwide."
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